SIXTH forms across Rochdale have reported significant improvements in their A level results in line with the rest of the country.

More than ever this year, students at the five Sixth Forms in the Rochdale area have achieved the necessary grades to continue into Higher Education.

Top of the class at Oulder Hill Community High School was Zoe Greenwood with four As. Neil Smith, Samina Koser, Oliver Lord and Philip Weston all achieved three grade As, as, with a pass rate of 94.9 per cent, almost all of Oulder Hill's 133 university applicants gained the grades they needed. Director of Sixth Form, Andrew Foster, said: "Today's results are a credit to the hard work of staff and students."

At St Cuthbert's High School Stuart Vose and Martin Harris were among some of the top performers from the 36 candidates. Each returned an A and three Bs from their subjects. Michael Campbell and Paul Heaney both scored an A, two Bs and a C while Stephanie Cracknell rounded off the top achievers with an A, two Bs and a D.

At Bury Grammar for Girls the results outstripped the school's record-breaking class of 2000. The A-level pass rate among the 76 girls was 99.6 per cent (of 235 entries only one was unsuccessful). Headteacher Miss Caroline Thompson said: "Around a quarter of our students come from Rochdale and they have done us and themselves proud."

Paul Wimpeney, of Hopwood Hall College, said their A level results had been as good as ever. He added: "The AS first year seems to have been tougher, with our pass rates slightly down on last year. I don't know why. It might be part of a national pattern. Results day is always an incredibly emotional day, but most got what they wanted. Most of those who expected to do well, did do well."

Head of Wardle High School's sixth form, Adrian Schofield, said: "We are really pleased with the results. I am particularly thrilled at the top end of the results. It has been really fantastic."

Charles Whitehead, assistant head teacher at Crompton House School, said results at the school had been "excellent". He said: "We have had another excellent set of results, with the pass rate increasing from 97 per cent last year to 98 per cent this year. It is a reflection on the high levels of commitment by students, teachers and parents."

WE'LL be publishing full lists of results from each school or college next week here at www.rochdaleobserver.co.uk